Family Support Worker

Directorate

Childrens Services  (Wren’s Nest Primary and Children’s Centre)  based in Family Support Team

Reports to

Children’s Centre Manager/ Family Support Co-ordinator (Deputy)

Purpose of the Job

Main Purpose of the Job:

1. To support children and families in Wrens Nest Children’s Centre reach area.
2. To contribute to the planning and delivery of Children’s Centre services and relevant performance targets.
3. To work in partnership with families and professionals from a range of statutory, private and voluntary organisations to deliver a range of services for children and families which meet local need and the Children’s Centre development plan.
4. To provide family support and outreach services, in particular prioritising the ‘most excluded’ families.

Specific Accountabilities

Responsible for: Students / Volunteers

Main Activities:

1. To act as an ambassador for Children’s Centre promoting its ethos and philosophy and strengthening existing links with the community and promoting the services and support available to children and families.
2. To maintain good working relationships with all agencies and individuals involved in the delivery of services and the early identification of need.
3. To establish effective and empowering relationships with parents/carers.
4. To adhere to appropriate confidentiality and information sharing protocols and legislation with regards to sensitive data between families, staff and other relevant agencies.
5. To ensure that Children’s Centre activities are well publicised throughout the area and to act as representative at internal and external meetings/events.
6. To provide information and signpost parents/carers as appropriate.
7. To take part in service evaluation, monitoring and parent consultations.

Support to Families

1. To work in a non-discriminatory, culturally sensitive manner, which encourages all families to access children’s centre services.
2. To identify needs and support excluded families and actively seek to promote the engagement of fathers.
3. To undertake outreach work, with parents in the home and the community, to provide information, guidance and support on a range of parenting support.
4. To provide positive experiences for children which enables them to achieve appropriate development and ensure that the needs of each individual child is catered for.
5. To maintain a caseload and assessment records of each family/child’s progress within their specific care plan and ensure accuracy of recorded information and data.
6. To ensure the Welfare Requirements for EYFS are met when delivering childcare, play or early learning services and accurate records are kept in accordance with Ofsted regulations.
7. To identify resources required for satellite sites and community settings.
8. To carry out planned direct work with children and families in the community and group work at the centre as required.
9. To carry out registration of families to the centre.
10. To support parents/carers access relevant training and employment opportunities.
11. To work to deadlines and within specific timescales for monitoring, recording and other such purposes.
12. To participate fully in any Common Assessment procedures involving children supported by the Children’s Centre.

Other:

1. To undertake a review of his/her practice and professional development to ensure that necessary skills, knowledge and understanding are kept updated.
2. To attend appropriate conferences/seminars/training events with regard to current issues within the children’s services agenda.
3. To contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the Children’s Centre.
4. To contribute to the development and preparation of promotional materials, i.e. leaflets, newsletters and information to families.
5. To cover administration duties as required.
6. To support volunteers and students on placement at the centre.
7. Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health and safety, security, lone working, equal opportunities, confidentiality and data protection.
8. All staff in the Children’s Centre will be expected to accept reasonable flexibility in working arrangements and the allocation of duties including normally allocated to posts at a lower responsibility level, in pursuance of meeting the needs of families accessing the Children’s Centre and effective team working.
9. To undertake other duties as agreed with the Family Support Co-ordinator/ Children’s Centre Manager commensurate to the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Special Conditions: Hours and days are set and are unfortunately not negotiable; working hours are 22.5 per week AYR, working days are; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday, with occasional Saturday mornings.

Current Driving Licence and access to a car is also required.